earth-thrower 493 Posted April 22, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 22, 2015 (edited) ET if it works for you, then that`s great well, im testing it,mate.see how it goes,..early days,....lol The main concerns, with any 'mole spade' , is getting the 'sizes' right ? lol And strength when cutting out/digging down for deeper runs. Would like to see the end results, just in case you have "the best product" ever Have fun Ha ha, i like that first sentence,thats the next most important,point ! lol " best product ever " , you certainly wont hear me say that !,...lol (even if i came close) ha ha ha Edited April 22, 2015 by earth-thrower Quote Link to post
Nicepix 5,650 Posted April 22, 2015 Report Share Posted April 22, 2015 If I could chuck my two centime's worth in; There can be no perfect spade to suit every mole trapper. My spade is a cut down border spade the width being around two-thirds of the length of a Duffus trap, about 55mm. I find that it is the best compromise for the areas I work in that it will chop through tough turf, roots and limestone ridden soil far more easily than a wider bladed spade. Even then it needs regular sharpening. But, give my diddly spade to a guy who works arable in good soil and he would find it a bind because he has to cut twice each side and it is too heavy for light work or carrying around all day. Similarly if I bought a full size spade with a relatively thin handle I'd wreck it in a week or two if I was out to the west of my area. In fact on a job I'm doing this week I wouldn't get a full size border spade through the rubble of limestone. I've all on getting the probe through. 2 Quote Link to post
earth-thrower 493 Posted April 22, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 22, 2015 If I could chuck my two centime's worth in; There can be no perfect spade to suit every mole trapper. My spade is a cut down border spade the width being around two-thirds of the length of a Duffus trap, about 55mm. I find that it is the best compromise for the areas I work in that it will chop through tough turf, roots and limestone ridden soil far more easily than a wider bladed spade. Even then it needs regular sharpening. But, give my diddly spade to a guy who works arable in good soil and he would find it a bind because he has to cut twice each side and it is too heavy for light work or carrying around all day. Similarly if I bought a full size spade with a relatively thin handle I'd wreck it in a week or two if I was out to the west of my area. In fact on a job I'm doing this week I wouldn't get a full size border spade through the rubble of limestone. I've all on getting the probe through. "There can be no perfect spade to suit every mole trapper", i would agree with you,there. Quote Link to post
nod 285 Posted April 22, 2015 Report Share Posted April 22, 2015 they wouldnt be much good this way on the fields, by the time you have dug the hole the edges would have collapsed and made it twice the size, no grass fields here Quote Link to post
earth-thrower 493 Posted April 22, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 22, 2015 ET if it works for you, then that`s great well, im testing it,mate.see how it goes,..early days,....lol The main concerns, with any 'mole spade' , is getting the 'sizes' right ? lol And strength when cutting out/digging down for deeper runs. Would like to see the end results, just in case you have "the best product" ever Have fun Ha ha, i like that first sentence,thats the next most important,point ! lol " best product ever " , you certainly wont hear me say that !,...lol (even if i came close) ha ha ha Even if i just end up with a prototype, or two,for myself in the end.I will stick a picture up.But its me your talking about,..lol (only started using a 'mobile phone' regular, about a year ago !) dont laugh,.....but ive got a photo, the manufacturer provided,before he sent it. Quote Link to post
J Darcy 5,871 Posted April 23, 2015 Report Share Posted April 23, 2015 they wouldnt be much good this way on the fields, by the time you have dug the hole the edges would have collapsed and made it twice the size, no grass fields here Aye, a different mindset is needed on the arables.... Quote Link to post
Bosun11 537 Posted April 23, 2015 Report Share Posted April 23, 2015 I've simply got to take my hat off to anyone that can craft sommat like that. As for buying 'off the peg', well if you are like me you'd have to but the satisfaction of making and using a tool day in day out must be very rewarding. I see it no different than the knife makers on here, you can go buy any type and shape but to have one crafted is different... Keep the thred going lads, maybe share ideas etc and produce quality bespoke tools built with pride... Quote Link to post
earth-thrower 493 Posted April 23, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 23, 2015 I've simply got to take my hat off to anyone that can craft sommat like that. As for buying 'off the peg', well if you are like me you'd have to but the satisfaction of making and using a tool day in day out must be very rewarding. I see it no different than the knife makers on here, you can go buy any type and shape but to have one crafted is different... Keep the thred going lads, maybe share ideas etc and produce quality bespoke tools built with pride... Ive used 3 or 4 different tools,over the years,modified at least 3 of them.None of them were 'ideal',in the end.Its probably unlikely,that i will ever have something,thats going to be absolutely 'perfect' for the job ? lol Quote Link to post
shropshire mole 190 Posted April 23, 2015 Report Share Posted April 23, 2015 ET, Another thought for your ultimate "spade" an inbuilt gadget that when you wave the spade over the ground, it highlights the run and depth, so making the probe obsolete. Sure wont be too hard to add on, lol Quote Link to post
EDDIE B 3,166 Posted April 23, 2015 Report Share Posted April 23, 2015 ET, Another thought for your ultimate "spade" an inbuilt gadget that when you wave the spade over the ground, it highlights the run and depth, so making the probe obsolete. Sure wont be too hard to add on, lol Sure he might as well add on a device that locates lost traps whilst he's at it! We'll call it The Trappocator! Quote Link to post
bryn27 89 Posted April 23, 2015 Report Share Posted April 23, 2015 ET, Another thought for your ultimate "spade" an inbuilt gadget that when you wave the spade over the ground, it highlights the run and depth, so making the probe obsolete. Sure wont be too hard to add on, lol Sure he might as well add on a device that locates lost traps whilst he's at it! We'll call it The Trappocator! Christ I could do with one of them lol. Quote Link to post
bryn27 89 Posted April 23, 2015 Report Share Posted April 23, 2015 found one yesterday from ages ago and lost it today ffs. 1 Quote Link to post
earth-thrower 493 Posted April 23, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 23, 2015 I'd taper the handles. Funny enough, they are,...if we mean the same thing ? Quote Link to post
earth-thrower 493 Posted April 23, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 23, 2015 I know what you lads mean about losing traps ? Ive lost my first 'trapline' , lol Whos got a metal detector , then ? I dont put out as many traps as some, so im usually ok,at recovering them. (if it would have been a half-barrel,i would have got it) lol Quote Link to post
earth-thrower 493 Posted April 23, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 23, 2015 ET, Another thought for your ultimate "spade" an inbuilt gadget that when you wave the spade over the ground, it highlights the run and depth, so making the probe obsolete. Sure wont be too hard to add on, lol " ultimate " spade,..lol....i wont be claiming that,either. lol Quote Link to post
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